View Full Version : The thread of paradoxes
Kronos5253
Jun22-09, 12:45 PM
I thought it might be fun to have a thread to make your head explode!! By means of posting some of your favorite mind-bending paradoxes.
I just heard a new one (for me) today that I thought was pretty good, thought I'd share!
What if Pinocchio said "My nose will grow"?
Suppose you have a ship in which one part fails each week. You replace the old broken part with a new part, scrapping the old part in some junk yard. Over the course of a few years, you have scrapped every original piece of the ship for new parts because all the old pieces of the ship broke. Is this the same ship? Here's the kicker: if we take all the original pieces and put them back together (suppose we repair them or whatever to make the parts work again) to make the same 'old' ship, is this the same ship? Does this mean we have two of the same ship?
What if Pinocchio said "My nose will grow"?
well, Pinocchio also said that he always lies...
Does this mean we have two of the same ship?
that's how we had a few extra air planes in the air force.
Kronos5253
Jun22-09, 01:37 PM
The adult male barber who shaves all men who do not shave themselves, and no one else. Can he shave himself?
If there is an exception to every rule, then every rule must have at least one exception, the exception to this one being that it has no exception.
Is the word "heterological", meaning "not applicable to itself," a heterological word?
A law student agrees to pay his teacher after winning his first case. The teacher then sues the student (who has not yet won a case) for payment.
If truth does not exist, the statement "truth does not exist" is a truth, thereby proving itself incorrect.
Kronos5253
Jun22-09, 01:38 PM
well, Pinocchio also said that he always lies...
True, but that in itself is a lie, so his nose would just grow
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
"That's some catch, that Catch-22," Yossarian observed.
"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.
Topher925
Jun22-09, 01:54 PM
A dog once told me that dogs can't talk.
Ivan Seeking
Jun22-09, 05:01 PM
Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
Why do we call the year having an extra day a "leap year"? Where is the leap?
Hot-water heaters
Why is there no mouse-flavored cat food? Why don't we find catfood made from mouse?
Why is there cat food made from vegetables?
Kronos5253
Jun22-09, 05:08 PM
Hot-water heaters
Hahahahaahahaha... I've never thought about that before, but I have to admit, I literally laughed out loud when I read that one
Ivan Seeking
Jun24-09, 01:46 AM
Women
mgb_phys
Jun24-09, 08:42 AM
Why do two planes have a near-miss rather than a near-hit?
DaveC426913
Jun24-09, 08:58 AM
Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?
(Of course, these aren't paradoxes.)
mgb_phys
Jun24-09, 09:00 AM
And why is Dyslexia so hard to spell
Jimmy Snyder
Jun24-09, 10:36 AM
If you don't know how to spell a word, how can you look it up?
junglebeast
Jun24-09, 10:48 AM
Paradoxes are just roundabout ways of saying "X is not X"
TheStatutoryApe
Jun24-09, 10:49 AM
What is a synonym for thesaurus?
junglebeast
Jun24-09, 10:50 AM
If you don't know how to spell a word, how can you look it up?
More importantly, if you don't know how to spell a word, how would you know that you've found it after looking it up? :bugeye:
JaredJames
Jun24-09, 11:17 AM
More importantly, if you don't know how to spell a word, how would you know that you've found it after looking it up? :bugeye:
That's why dictionaries give definitions. Also, you must have a rough idea how to spell a word so you simply look in the general area (for example if you can't spell aerodynamic, you would look for things like airo and if it isnt there you move onto aero.) and find the one you want (check it against the definition). Obviously, a few exceptions are things like xylophone, where, if you can't spell it you really are s******.
Then again, these days simply misspell it in google and it will give you the correct spelling. "Did you mean..."
WaveJumper
Jun24-09, 04:16 PM
If we want to check if human logic is right, we have to use... human logic.
Chi Meson
Jun24-09, 04:22 PM
Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?
And why is Dyslexia so hard to spell
And shouldn't there be a shorter word for 'monosyllabic'?
Return to the OP...
What is the set of all things that don't belong to a set?
DaveC426913
Jun24-09, 09:31 PM
What is the set of all things that don't belong to a set?
And again XKCD imitates life...
http://xkcd.com/468/
EnumaElish
Jun24-09, 09:39 PM
I'm looking for the wrong thread to post this. Is this the wrong thread?
What is the set of all things that don't belong to a set?
That would be the notaset.
junglebeast
Jun24-09, 11:12 PM
That's why dictionaries give definitions. Also, you must have a rough idea how to spell a word so you simply look in the general area (for example if you can't spell aerodynamic, you would look for things like airo and if it isnt there you move onto aero.) and find the one you want (check it against the definition). Obviously, a few exceptions are things like xylophone, where, if you can't spell it you really are s******.
Then again, these days simply misspell it in google and it will give you the correct spelling. "Did you mean..."
I wasn't being literal :wink:
My favorite paradox:
http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/THK/THK280/two-doctors_~e00010593.jpg
:biggrin:
DaveC426913
Jun25-09, 08:38 AM
Brian: "You are all individuals!"
Crowd: "We are all individuals!"
Individual:"I'm not."
DaveC426913's Corollary A:
He: "Every person is different."
Me: "That is a generalization. I, for one, am not different."
DaveC426913's Corollary B:
She: "All the drawers in this cabinet are different sizes. Except the bottom one."
EnumaElish
Jun25-09, 11:26 AM
My favorite paradox:
http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/THK/THK280/two-doctors_~e00010593.jpg
:biggrin:Identical twins?
DaveC426913
Jun25-09, 11:37 AM
Identical twins?Yeah. I didn't get it either. Too subtle for me.
Jimmy Snyder
Jun25-09, 11:39 AM
Yeah. I didn't get it either. Too subtle for me.
I'm at a loss, I was looking for a paradox, but all I saw was a pair o' docs. What gives?
EnumaElish
Jun25-09, 12:01 PM
I'm at a loss, I was looking for a paradox, but all I saw was a pair o' docs. What gives?This reminds me that I need to see an eye doc.
TheStatutoryApe
Jun25-09, 12:18 PM
My favorite paradox:
http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/THK/THK280/two-doctors_~e00010593.jpg
:biggrin:
This is mine....
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/210000/210500/210515/Products/4981258.jpg
Here is another one
http://www.atpm.com/11.06/moraine/images/2-two-docks-420.jpg
berkeman
Jun25-09, 12:28 PM
A paradox about to be resolved...
http://www.cottagedocks.com/images/docks/dock_sect_real_act_lg.jpg
WaveJumper
Jun25-09, 01:11 PM
Here I go:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4592/l1048751557.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/i/l1048751557.jpg/)
If you need translation, let me know.
WaveJumper
Jun25-09, 01:31 PM
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9471/thumbsredna25695.jpg (http://img520.imageshack.us/i/thumbsredna25695.jpg/)
EnumaElish
Jun25-09, 02:29 PM
Contrary to popular opinion (http://jyte.com/cl/a-paradox-is-not-a-pair-of-ducks), life is a paradox (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cdhM1aBAXwE/Shi_ubChMgI/AAAAAAAAASg/ZHIK_8x9S-Q/s1600-h/paradux.png).
Ivan Seeking
Jun25-09, 03:49 PM
Does anyone know why Tsu's photo says "Physicsforums" on it?
Now that is a real paradox! [a pair o'docs and a paradox]. Tsu said she has no idea how that happened.
WaveJumper
Jun25-09, 04:57 PM
Contrary to popular opinion (http://jyte.com/cl/a-paradox-is-not-a-pair-of-ducks), life is a paradox (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cdhM1aBAXwE/Shi_ubChMgI/AAAAAAAAASg/ZHIK_8x9S-Q/s1600-h/paradux.png).
You are a paradox? :eek:
No really, i agree with the above. The existence of the whole universe is a paradox. Reality is a paradox.
A better question - What is not a paradox?
We can't explain the universe and reality and so Everything is a paradox. This thread can stretch to infinity. Which is also a paradox.
EnumaElish
Jun25-09, 05:11 PM
You are a paradox? :eek:Actually I'm a Sagittarius, which is near the wild duck cluster (Messier 11). But a friend who's into astrology swears that I'm a Scorpio.
This is mine....
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/210000/210500/210515/Products/4981258.jpg
Well, so YOUR pair of docs have a last name. Big. whoop. Mine are LOTS cuter! :rofl:
Um, unless those AREN'T Doc Martin's. :biggrin: I have no style so I just assumed...
EnumaElish
Jun27-09, 06:42 PM
From George Carlin's HBO presentation:
"Legally drunk"
"Undisputed fighting champion" -- if it's undisputed what's all the fight about?
TheStatutoryApe
Jun27-09, 11:37 PM
Um, unless those AREN'T Doc Martin's. :biggrin: I have no style so I just assumed...
Yes they are.
And no worries, my idea of style is "These are comfy shoes. I think I will wear them with everything." ;-)
Yes they are.
And no worries, my idea of style is "These are comfy shoes. I think I will wear them with everything." ;-)
Wow, aren't they? I have to wear steel-toe boots at my work, and I wear Docs. Holy cow, are those the most comfy shoes you could put on you foot, or what? They are heavy, though...
Not so much paradoxes, but a couple of really incongruous observations at local businesses.
There is a paving company about 25 minutes from here that a couple runs out of their house. The house is a dumpy-looking place 'way back from the road on a rutted, muddy (unpaved, of course) driveway. When I first saw the sign there, I thought it was a little free advertising for the company that had been hired to do the paving. Nope!
There is another small business much closer that is run out of a house. Again, the house is a shabby-looking dump, poorly maintained, with a gravel drive, and a yard that consists of dirt and immobile vehicles - just a perfect eyesore. What does that guy do? His sign says that he does home renovations and remodeling. He may do great work, but judging from the condition of his own place, I doubt it.
Chi Meson
Jun29-09, 08:27 AM
This is mine....
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/210000/210500/210515/Products/4981258.jpg
I think I get this one: big big boots with thin-lugged city-walking soles.
DaveC426913
Jun29-09, 08:36 AM
Not so much paradoxes, but a couple of really incongruous observations at local businesses.
There is a paving company about 25 minutes from here that a couple runs out of their house. The house is a dumpy-looking place 'way back from the road on a rutted, muddy (unpaved, of course) driveway. When I first saw the sign there, I thought it was a little free advertising for the company that had been hired to do the paving. Nope!
There is another small business much closer that is run out of a house. Again, the house is a shabby-looking dump, poorly maintained, with a gravel drive, and a yard that consists of dirt and immobile vehicles - just a perfect eyesore. What does that guy do? His sign says that he does home renovations and remodeling. He may do great work, but judging from the condition of his own place, I doubt it.
The Cobbler's kids have no shoes...:wink:
...and who among us can forget this pair of Dachs?
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ludz5j.jpg
(...erm, they are Dachs, aren't they...?)
mgb_phys
Jun29-09, 10:09 AM
I think I get this one: big big boots with thin-lugged city-walking soles.
No
(Unless you are being ironic?)
DaveC426913
Jun29-09, 11:10 AM
No
(Unless you are being ironic?)
He was pointing out a double-irony.
A pair a Docs that are, in themselves, paradoxical.
Chi Meson
Jun29-09, 11:16 AM
He was pointing out a double-irony.
A pair a Docs that are, in themselves, paradoxical.
Why, yes. Of course I was. Certainly. I am so very clever, you know. Yep. Clever me!
physics girl phd
Jun29-09, 11:35 AM
Flying dogs !!!! Eek!
This is the kind of flying dog I'd prefer... and two or more would be fabulous:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/files/2009/05/flying_dog_logo1.jpg
(Actually I'd really prefer the Gonzo Porter... but this is the classic image for the brewery.)
...and who among us can forget this pair of Dachs?
http://i41.tinypic.com/2ludz5j.jpg
(...erm, they are Dachs, aren't they...?)
Well it's certainly a pair o' dogs.
Well it's certainly a pair o' dogs.
:rofl:
(Hmm...seems they're probably Miniature Pinschers :redface:.)
Yes they are.
And no worries, my idea of style is "These are comfy shoes. I think I will wear them with everything." ;-)
That's called PERFECT style. :biggrin:
I can resist everything except temptation.
Ivan Seeking
Jul2-09, 03:15 PM
Banks charging penalty fees for bounced checks - clearly the person doesn't have enough money in the first place.
With the economy in the tank, people may have more reason than ever to drink more alcohol, but they can't afford it. - Cafferty File
TheStatutoryApe
Jul2-09, 09:17 PM
With the economy in the tank, people may have more reason than ever to drink more alcohol, but they can't afford it. - Cafferty File
A day of panhandling always makes the hooch taste sweeter.
Huckleberry
Jul3-09, 04:57 AM
With the economy in the tank, people may have more reason than ever to drink more alcohol, but they can't afford it. - Cafferty File
The money for rent and food will go before the alcohol. That's why it is such a fun thing to tax and regulate.
That reminds me of something of a paradox. In Arizona I remember seeing drive through liquor stores. That's better than the European beer vending machines.
Birthday paradox is not at all a paradox. It's just a mathematical property.
redargon
Jul10-09, 04:46 AM
A guy goes up to a punk on the street and says: "Hey, show me what punk is."
The punk walks over to a dustbin and kicks it into the street, "That's punk!"
So the guy goes up to another dustbin and kicks it into the street, "That's punk?"
To which the punk replies, "No, that's trendy."
A very interesting one is the Abilene paradox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abilene_paradox), where a group of people do things what none of them would have done individually.
I think there is a whole world more to that.
leroyjenkens
Jul10-09, 02:56 PM
Some snakes eat other snakes. That may not be a paradox, but it should be.
Ivan Seeking
Jul10-09, 09:47 PM
I would have to fiddle around a bit to remember the correct equation, but if one considers the volume and surface area for what is essentially a conucopia - I think you take the surface formed by taking the revolution of the equation f(x) = 1/x,. about the x axis, where x goes from zero to positive infinity - one finds that the volume is finite but the surface area is infinite.
Hence, you could fill it but you could never paint it.
Banks charging penalty fees for bounced checks - clearly the person doesn't have enough money in the first place.
That is so sick that it isn't even funny to anyone who has experienced it. When I retired from my locksmith business, I left $70 in the bank account since that, the cell phone, and my PO box were the only evidence of the company's existence. Less than a year later, I got a bill from the bank saying that I was overdrawn by $100 and they wanted it right now. They'd sucked the whole $70, plus an extra $75, in service charges on a dormant account, then tried to charge me a $25 penalty for being overdrawn. I went in, told them to **** themselves, and closed the account. I also closed my personal one and moved to a Credit Union. (I should point out that a lot of the people at that bank were/are friendly acquaintances of mine. They thought that it stunk too, and didn't even try to pursue collection. It was the institution itself that was to blame, not the employees.)
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